Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-02-12

THEproposed arrangement to unity
the soft coal interests of the Atlantic
seaboard appears to be held at bay by
some force difficult to overcome.
And the trade paper outcrop of in
tellIgence goes to show that the Po-
cahontas region is at the bottom of
the trouble. Having enjoyed good
taste of active trade, our latest COM
petitor wants for this year more than
its proper share of tidal business.
This is very unfortunate, for in the
arrangement to protect and maintain
coal values at seashore, as devised and
set on foot by the operators of this,
the oldest soft coal field in this coun-
try, rests the only solid basis for fair
and iurable prices.
We say unfortunate, provided, of
course, the greediness of our newest
rival results in failure to agree. With
growing productive and Transports
ton facilities with aggressive, if not
unscrupulous methods to win patron
age, and q coal which in excellence
comes nearer than any to ours, Poca-
hontas threatens to become our most
formidable antagonist in market.
The operators and people Of this field
might we'll regret, therefore, barren
outcome Of the costly and laborious
effort to divide the nucleus of business
at an equitable pro rata.
To take no account of the damage
at once inflicted upon current work,
there is the greater harm TO follow
from the growing power Of our rival
to defeat us next year.
People in this region, however, who
depreciate or discredit the signlf
canoe Of the crisis at hand know not
what they do.
In 1871 they laughed at the idea
Of Cleariield as prospective compet-
itor Of this region, but strike or two
here made Clearfield, with an inferior
coal, more than Il match for us.
The strike Of 1882 gave Pocahontas
its first impetus, and those of last
year, here and in Clearfield, deriving
their inspiration, encouragement and
support from the same shrewd Poca
hontas, added largely to the momen-
tum Of its popularity in market.
To-day that region is strong enough
and apparently willing enough to die
tate terms to the entire soft coal re-
sources of the Atlantic seaboard.
1t Is able to determine for all fields
of this coal in the Appalachian par
allel whether there shall or shall not
exist Il compact to mine, ship and sell
coal at prices atl'ording legitimate
profits and living wages.
The infant Of yesterday is to-day Il
soldier in arms, and, standing upon
territory already wrested from our
grasp, insists upon broader and
deeper occupation, fairly if he may,
forcibly if he must.
In the face of Il menace like this,
with the repetitions and lessons Of
history also in full view, how the
sensible, solid men Of Georges Creek
can range themselves in line with the
common enemy against our own
household passes comprehension.
In justice to such men, however,
few, if any, have INDUCED IN the CO.
lossal folly of claiming spoils that
could not and cannot be captured
from an enemy that has beaten our
field in every battle, and worst when
we imagined we had won.
OUR neighbor, the Frostburg JOUR
NAL, was filled last week with nettles,
which it placed under the court be-
cause of the result in the Williams
trial. Brother Oder's nettles were